Intralobar pulmonary sequestration presenting as multiple nodular pulmonary lesions and focal emphysema.

The features of intralobar pulmonary sequestration vary on computed tomography (CT). Many cases demonstrate a mass or cystic lesion within a lower lobe. We report herein a case of a 55-year-old, female patient presenting with right back pain. Contrast enhanced (CE) CT revealed multiple, nodular, pulmonary lesions suggesting recurrent infections with surrounding focal emphysema. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction demonstrated a sequestrated lung segment with a systemic, arterial blood supply. Based on these findings, intralobar pulmonary sequestration was diagnosed. Intralobar pulmonary sequestration can present as multiple, nodular, pulmonary lesions with focal emphysema rather than as a mass or cyst. CE-CT with 3D reconstruction is useful for diagnosing this condition. Patients with recurrent pulmonary infections have a high index of suspicion of intralobar pulmonary sequestration.

Real-world Prognostic Data on Unresectable Stage III Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy by Histological Type.

Objective The current standard treatment for locally advanced, unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) and durvalumab administration. Although reports have indicated that the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma is poorer than that of adenocarcinoma, real-world data are currently inadequate. Methods The present study analyzed patients with stage III NSCLC who received CCRT at the study center between April 2018 and February 2022. These patients were retrospectively classified into adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma groups for an analysis of the progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and patient background factors, including the age, performance status, smoking history, and pre-CCRT laboratory data. Results A total of 109 patients were included for the analysis; 25 were excluded, and 44 and 40 patients were classified into the adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma groups, respectively. The median PFS was significantly longer in the adenocarcinoma group than in the squamous cell carcinoma group [27.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 15.2-not achieved) vs. 9.63 (95% CI: 5.88-13.9) months; p<0.01]. Similarly, the median OS was significantly longer in the adenocarcinoma group than in the squamous cell carcinoma group [not achieved (95% CI: 48.1-not achieved) vs. 23.8 (95% CI; 14.6-not achieved) months; p<0.01]. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the histological type was the only prognostic factor for the PFS (p<0.05) and OS (p<0.05). Conclusion The median PFS and OS were poorer in patients with squamous cell carcinoma than in those with stage III NSCLC treated with CCRT and durvalumab. The histological type was an independent factor affecting the PFS and OS.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma with resolution of pleural effusion.

In malignant pleural mesothelioma patients, pleural effusion may improve during the course of the disease. Pleural effusion with nodular shadows bordering the pleura should be followed up even if the pleural effusion improves.

Bronchoscopic visualization of the inner cavity caused by Pasteurella multocida infection.

We report a 69-year-old man who presented to our hospital with cough and sputum production. He had been in close contact with six domestic cats. He had a smoking history of 40 pack-years and had been in close contact with six domestic cats. A chest computed tomography scan revealed multiple consolidations with cavities in both lung fields. Pasteurella multocida was cultured from his sputum. On bronchoscopic evaluation, the flexible bronchoscope was navigated through the right middle lobe bronchus, which opened inside the cavity, allowing visualization of a spider-web-appearing architecture consisting of many cord-like lung tissues loosely adherent to the cavity lumen. Using these findings, a diagnosis of cavity formation was made secondary to Pasteurella multocida infection. Pasteurella infection should be considered as a cause of a lung cavity in patients with chronic lung disease. History taking regarding animal exposure is important for its diagnosis.

Pulmonary miliary sarcoidosis masquerading the reactivation of tuberculosis 30 years later.

Key Clinical Message: Sarcoidosis may occur after treatment with pulmonary tuberculosis and requires differential diagnosis from tuberculosis reactivation. Miliary sarcoidosis should be promptly differentiated from miliary tuberculosis associated with high mortality. Abstract: Clinical, histological, and radiological similarities between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis render differential diagnosis challenging. The association between these two diseases has long been discussed, although the coexistence or subsequent occurrence of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis is rare. We report a case of miliary sarcoidosis that developed 30 years after tuberculous pleurisy treatment. Sarcoidosis may occur after treatment with pulmonary tuberculosis and requires differential diagnosis from tuberculosis reactivation. Although miliary sarcoidosis is uncommon, it should be promptly differentiated from miliary tuberculosis associated with high mortality. This study reignites the debate on the causal association between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Black pleural effusion caused by a pancreaticopleural fistula secondary to chronic alcoholic pancreatitis exacerbation accompanying COVID-19.

Pancreaticopleural fistula should be considered in alcohol abusers with pleural effusion, which can exhibit a black color.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema caused by right insular cortex infarction.

We report a case of neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) caused by middle cerebral artery infarction involving the right insular cortex. Hyperactivity of the insular cortex, which regulates sympathetic function, can cause NPE. The NPE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dyspneic patients with insular cortex infarction.

Surfactant protein D: A useful biomarker for distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases.

Introduction: Computed tomography is useful for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia. However, many types of interstitial lung diseases and even bacterial pneumonia can show abnormal chest shadows that are indistinguishable from those observed in COVID-19 pneumonia. Thus, it is necessary to identify useful biomarkers that can efficiently distinguish COVID-19 pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases. Herein, we investigated the usefulness of serum Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein D (SP-D) for identifying patients with COVID-19 pneumonia among patients with abnormal chest shadows consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia. Method: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent evaluation of serum KL-6 and SP-D at a single center from February 2019 to December 2020. A total of 54 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and 65 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases were enrolled in this study from the source population. Serum KL-6 and SP-D levels in both groups were analyzed. Result: The serum levels of KL-6 and SP-D in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were significantly lower than those in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia-like disease (median [interquartile range]: 208.5 [157.5-368.5] U/ml vs. 430 [284.5-768.5] U/ml, p < 0.0001 and 24.7 [8.6-51.0] ng/ml vs. 141 [63.7-243.5] ng/ml, p < 0.0001, respectively). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the areas under the ROC curves (95% confidence intervals) of serum KL-6 and SP-D levels for distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases were 0.761 (0.675-0.847) and 0.874 (0.812-0.936), respectively. The area under the ROC curve of serum SP-D was significantly larger than that of serum KL-6 (p = 0.0213), suggesting that serum SP-D can more efficiently distinguish COVID-19 pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases. Conclusion: Serum SP-D is a promising biomarker for distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from COVID-19 pneumonia-like diseases. Serum SP-D can be useful for the management of patients with abnormal chest shadow mimicking COVID-19 pneumonia.

Double-ring sign in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced vasculitis.

The double-ring sign found in contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which reflects inflammatory changes in the adventitia and oedema of the intima, is thought to be characteristic of Takayasu arteritis; however, herein, it was also observed for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced vasculitis.

Orbital apex syndrome associated with intraorbital metastasis of lung cancer.

We present the case of a patient with lung adenocarcinoma stage IVB diagnosed as orbital apex syndrome (OAS) associated with intraorbital metastasis of lung cancer. When patients with lung cancer have diplopia, ptosis or ocular motility disorder, identifying OAS is important.

Impact of sarcopenia on chemotherapy-triggered exacerbation of interstitial lung disease in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: While recent evidence has suggested that sarcopenia could predict chemotoxicity, its association with chemotherapy-triggered interstitial lung disease (ILD) exacerbations has yet to be investigated. Thus, the present study sought to determine whether sarcopenia could predict ILD exacerbations and overall survival (OS) in patients with ILD-complicated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: From January 2010 to July 2020, 74 patients with ILD-complicated NSCLC who received chemotherapy were retrospectively investigated. After categorizing patients according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia based on the psoas muscle index, ILD exacerbation rates and OS were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the patients in the study, 39 were included in the sarcopenia group. Moreover, 17 (22.9%) patients developed ILD exacerbations, with the sarcopenia and nonsarcopenia groups having an exacerbation rate of 33.3% and 11.4%, respectively (p = 0.025). Multivariate analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent predictor of ILD exacerbations (p = 0.039). Furthermore, patients with sarcopenia demonstrated a significantly shorter median OS compared to those without the same (9.2 vs. 13.3 months; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia predicted chemotherapy-triggered ILD exacerbation and OS in patients with ILD-complicated NSCLC, suggesting its utility in determining treatment approaches.

Early intervention of plasma exchange combined with intensive immunosuppressive treatment for anti-MDA-5 antibody-positive rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 Ab) has to be reported to often cause rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) especially in East Asian countries. Even with the recommended rapid administration of immunosuppressive agents with high-dose corticosteroids, intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide, and calcineurin inhibitors, the prognosis of anti-MDA5 Ab-related RP-ILD is poor. Plasma exchange (PE) has been reported to be effective for steroid-refractory RP-ILD with anti-MDA5 Ab. However, the timing, frequency, and interval of PE for the treatment of RP-ILD with anti-MDA5 Ab have not yet been established. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of RP-ILD with anti-MDA5 Ab treated by early intervention of PE combined with immunosuppressive treatment. Blood biomarkers including titers of anti-MDA5 Ab, serum KL-6 and ferritin were promptly decreased after each session of PE. Clinical symptoms, oxygenation and chest computed tomography abnormalities were completely improved after immunosuppressive treatment with PE. CONCLUSION: Early intervention of PE combined with immunosuppressive treatment may prevent the development to lethal severe respiratory failure in RP-ILD with anti-MDA5 Ab.

Azithromycin enhances the cytotoxicity of DNA-damaging drugs via lysosomal membrane permeabilization in lung cancer cells.

Cancer cells use autophagy for growth, survival, and cytoprotection from chemotherapy. Therefore, autophagy inhibitors appear to be good candidates for cancer treatment. Our group previously reported that macrolide antibiotics, especially azithromycin (AZM), have potent autophagy inhibitory effects, and combination treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or proteasome inhibitors enhances their anti-cancer activity. In this study, we evaluated the effect of combination therapy with DNA-damaging drugs and AZM in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We found that the cytotoxic activities of DNA-damaging drugs, such as doxorubicin (DOX), etoposide, and carboplatin, were enhanced in the presence of AZM in NSCLC cell lines, whereas AZM alone exhibited almost no cytotoxicity. This enhanced cell death was dependent on wild-type-p53 status and autophagosome-forming ability because TP53 knockout (KO) and ATG5-KO cells attenuated AZM-enhanced cytotoxicity. DOX treatment upregulated lysosomal biogenesis by activating TFEB and led to lysosomal membrane damage as assessed by galectin 3 puncta assay and cytoplasmic leakage of lysosomal enzymes. In contrast, AZM treatment blocked autophagy, which resulted in the accumulation of lysosomes/autolysosomes. Thus, the effects of DOX and AZM were integrated into the marked increase in damaged lysosomes/autolysosomes, leading to prominent lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) for apoptosis induction. Our data suggest that concomitant treatment with DNA-damaging drugs and AZM is a promising strategy for NSCLC treatment via pronounced LMP induction.

Glasgow prognostic score for prediction of chemotherapy-triggered acute exacerbation interstitial lung disease in patients with small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Predicting the incidence of chemotherapy-triggered acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD) in patients with lung cancer is important because AE-ILD confers a poor prognosis. The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), which is an inflammation-based index composed of serum levels of C-reactive protein and albumin, predicts prognosis in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) without ILD. In this study, we investigated AE-ILD and survival outcome based on the GPS in patients with ILD associated with SCLC who were receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: Medical records of patients who received platinum-based first-line chemotherapy between June 2010 and May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed to compare the incidence of AE-ILD and overall survival (OS) between GPS 0, 1, and 2. RESULTS: Among our cohort of 31 patients, six (19.3%) experienced chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD. The AE-ILD incidence increased from 9.5% to 25.0% and 50.0% with increase in GPS of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed remarkable associations between GPS 2 and both AE-ILD (odds ratio for GPS 2, 18.69; p = 0.046) and prognosis (hazard ratio of GPS 2, 13.52; p = 0.002). Furthermore, median OS in the GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups was 16.2, 9.8, and 7.1 months, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GPS 2 is both a predictor of risk of chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and a prognostic indicator in patients with ILD associated with SCLC. We propose that GPS may be used as a guide to distinguish chemotherapy-tolerant patients from those at high risk of AE-ILD.

Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL) Is Elevated in Patients with Asthma and Airway Obstruction.

Neutrophilic airway inflammation is one of the features of severe asthma. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), or lipocalin-2, is a glycoprotein associated with neutrophilic inflammation and can be detected in blood. Recently, blood NGAL levels have been reported to be elevated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the clinical significance of serum NGAL levels in patients with asthma has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the association between serum NGAL level and clinical parameters in patients with asthma. Sixty-one non-smoking people with stable asthma were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent blood collection and pulmonary function tests. The associations between serum NGAL levels and clinical parameters were analyzed retrospectively. Serum NGAL levels in patients with asthma and obstructive ventilatory defect were higher than those in patients with asthma without obstructive ventilatory defect (76.4±51.4 ng/mL vs. 39.3±27.4 ng/mL, P=0.0019). Serum NGAL levels were correlated with forced expired flow at 50% of vital capacity %predicted and forced expired flow at 75% of vital capacity %predicted (r=-0.3373, P=0.0078 and r=-0.2900, P=0.0234, respectively). Results of a multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum NGAL level was independently associated with obstructive ventilatory defect. Serum NGAL levels were elevated in patients with asthma and obstructive ventilatory defect. NGAL may be involved in airway remodeling possibly mediated by neutrophilic inflammation in asthma.

Glasgow Prognostic Score predicts chemotherapy-triggered acute exacerbation-interstitial lung disease in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) worsens the prognosis for overall survival (OS) due to chemotherapy-triggered acute exacerbation (AE)-ILD. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), which is based on serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels, has been suggested as a reliable prognostic tool for mortality in cancer patients, including NSCLC. In this study, we investigated whether GPS is a predictor for chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and the prognosis in patients with NSCLC and pre-existing ILD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review on 56 NSCLC and ILD patients at our hospital who received platinum agent-based treatment as first-line chemotherapy between June 2010 and May 2019. We categorized these patients according to their GPS (0-2) and compared the incidence of chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and OS. RESULTS: The GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups included 31, 16, and nine patients, respectively, out of 56. A total of 12 (21.4%) patients showed chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD. The median OS was at 11.5 months (95% confidence interval: 8.0-15.1). The incidence of chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD within the first year of chemotherapy in the GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups was three (9.6%), four (25.0%), and five (55.5%), and the median OS time was 16.9, 9.8 and 7.6 months, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that only GPS 2 could predict both chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and OS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GPS assessment of patients with NSCLC and pre-existing ILD is a valuable prognostic tool for predicting chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and OS. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: We found that GPS 2 was an independent risk factor for chemotherapy-triggered AE-ILD and prognosis in patients with ILD associated with NSCLC. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: GPS may potentially enable the discrimination of patients tolerant of chemotherapy from those at an increased risk of AE-ILD and predict the prognosis in patients with NSCLC and ILD receiving chemotherapy.

A case of imatinib-related obstructive bronchiolitis followed long term.

Obstructive bronchiolitis (OB) is an intractable disease causing stenosis in the surrounding bronchiolar region and bronchiolar lumen obstruction. Causes of OB are lung and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, collagen diseases, infections, and foods, but there are very few reports of drug-induced OB [1]. Imatinib is a drug used for the treatment of leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, etc. Although there are some reports of imatinib-induced lung injury as a complication (Ohnishi et al., 2006; Ma et al., 2003; Yamasawa et al., 2008; Koide et al., 2011) [[2], [3], [4], [5]], OB has not been reported. We have encountered a patient with OB related to imatinib administered for chronic myelogenous leukemia, who we have followed for 10 years. Drug-induced OB is very rare, but our case demonstrates the importance of considering the possibility of airway lesions by evaluating pulmonary function and expiratory computed tomography in patients with respiratory symptoms despite no shading on imaging.

Chylothorax after spinal fusion surgery: A case report and literature review.

Chylothorax is reported as a postoperative complication, mainly in the field of thoracic surgery, but there are only 14 reports in the field of spinal surgery. A 64-year-old woman underwent spinal fusion surgery by the anterior and posterior approach for her scoliosis. She developed leg edema and right pleural effusion 2 months after the surgery. Laboratory findings showed decreased total protein and albumin levels in serum. The color of the thoracentesis sample was pinkish white, and the Triglyceride level in the pleural effusion was high. So, her leg edema was found to be associated with malnutrition and the pleural effusion was caused by chylothorax. The point of leakage from the lymph duct was confirmed in the right thoracic cavity of the slice that corresponded to that with the screw at Th11 by lymphatic scintigraphy. Her symptoms did not improve by diet restriction and lipidol lymphography, but her pleural effusion and albumin levels improved by the administration of octreotide. In the clinical course, serum albumin levels appeared to show an inverse correlation with the amount of pleural effusion, so it was thought that her serum albumin level decreased owing to leakage of protein, including albumin, into the thoracic cavity via the injured thoracic duct. We concluded that the chylothorax was owing to complications of the surgery. Although reports of chylothorax occurring as a complication of spinal fusion surgery are rare, when prolonged hypoalbuminemia or unilateral pleural effusion is observed, chylothorax should be considered as a differential diagnosis.